It is no secret that I was tired of blogging. I had contemplated giving it all up for a few months but then I realised my first blog anniversary was approaching. There is something about reaching the one year mark that has motivated me to carry on. So I am officially back to blogging.
One of the key things that I have learnt in the past year is that blogging is as much about the reading of other blogs and interacting with other bloggers as it is about posting on your own blog. Mshairi and I have often told each other that for one to really consider him/herself a blogger or a part of the blogsphere one has to engage with other blogs and bloggers both on and off the blogs. With this in mind I have decided to split my blog anniversary post into three sections; interaction, reading and writing.
The interaction part (Part 1) shall focus on those bloggers (and the odd non-blogger) whose interaction has helped, encouraged or taught me in the past year. In Part 2 I plan to list all the blogs I have enjoyed reading and finally I shall round off with a post on the highs and lows of my blog journey.
Seeing as I am rather tired after completing another journey (London to Lancaster) I shan’t start Part 1 until tomorrow, however I will use the next few paragraphs to moan about the Lancaster to London train ride.
As much as I like travelling, when it comes to travelling in and around the United Kingdom, my mode of transportation is rather limited. Aside from the fact that I can’t drive, haven’t got access to a car and have little trust in the driving abilities of others, I also get car sick so travel by road is rarely an option for me. Air travel would be my first choice however, Lancaster being the small city that it is, does not have an airport, so flying is out of the question. This leaves me with train travel and up until mid last year it was the most convenient way to travel. Yes, English trains are always late but the longer the delay the more time you have to spend either in the train station pub, or drinking aboard the train. The lateness, for me was outweighed by all the other benefits, such as Lancaster station being only 10 minutes away from home.
Sadly, I can no longer look forward to boarding a Virgin Train. It started off last year when the people at National Rail decided that I no longer qualify for a Young Person’s rail card. I don’t mind being called old but charging me 1/3 more for the “privilegeâ€?? Talk of rubbing salt into a wound. As if this wasn’t enough they have launched the Virgin Pendolino train – a high speed sleek machine complete with in-seat radio and power points to plug in laptops.
Actually I quite like the new look, what I don’t like is the high speed part. While inter-railing in Scandinavia I travelled on a high-speed train and my insides did not react well. Mshairi likens it to the spinning feeling you get when you lay your head down to sleep after a night of heavy drinking. Only difference is you are not drunk, nor are you in the privacy of your own home. Instead you are stone cold sober, sitting on a packed train a good mile away from the constantly engaged toilets. The thought of standing up while the train is in motion and attempting to navigate your way past sweaty travellers while holding your stomach only enhances the experience.
Anyway, back to the Virgin Pendolino, not only does this train reach speeds of 140 miles per hour it is also able to go around corners and bends 20% faster than previous trains. This is all due to a brand new tilt mechanism. Well, they say tilt, to me it felt more like being inside a washing machine set at high speed. One minute I was sat comfortably watching a blurr of trees race past the window. The next minute my feet had left ground, the blurr of trees was replaced with a cloudy sky, my food and drinks went flying off the table and as I watched them fall to ground I caught a glimpse of the passengers across the aisle, the sides of their faces pinned to the window pane. Ok, so I exaggerated slightly, but the whole experience did make me feel very very sick.
It is no surprise then that on the way back from London I stopped by the chemist to pick up some motion sickness tablets. The guy behind the counter handed me a pack of pills and while doing so he informed me that they take 20 minutes to work, last up to 8 hours and can make one drowsy. This next bit is no exaggeration, they don’t just make one drowsy, they render one unconscious. I slept through most of the three hour train journey. I only awoke twice, on both occasions to the following words, “I like big butts and I can not lieâ€? being blasted out by someone’s real-tone mobile phone! (not good!) Curing motion sickness by knocking me out may sound a bit drastic but it worked. I am still slightly dazed which probably explains the jumbled up mess that is today’s post. I shall return tomorrow with 365 Days Part 1.
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Guess says
Oh, Am I glad you are back to blogging. Missed you there for a minute 😉
High speed trains? I am gonna get me inside one of those, even though right now I know no one who lives anywhere near the sides they service. I love long train journeys, armed with a book and my music (and ‘some’ drink) I can just watch the countryside blur away and hopefully not need to go to the loos – yes, I hate train/plane or any moving ‘vessel’s’ toilets. There is something not quite right about them!
Pole Kui, hope you feel much better and await to read all about your 1yr blog experience
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kipepeo says
im with guess…moving vessel bathrooms are eeeeeekkk!!! but i do kinda like pendolino’s. lucky i dont get motion sickness. But they whizz past everything so fast, you dont see anything really!
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Bernie says
Welcome back and Happy Blogaversary.
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Aunti Uaridi says
Like Guess, I too enjoy train rides, the longer the better. Give me a book, my knitting and the smoking carriage and I am one happy bunny.
Happy anniversary. Waiting for more information
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Nick says
Glad you are back of course i never doubted your return and cant wait for ur blog anniversary…hope u have somethin juicy for that transition!
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Nakeel says
Welcome back welcome back welcome back… Good to have you back mamaJ…
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Nyakehu says
Do you get the feeling that our bodies were not set for travel, car sickness, then tilt motion then flying. Welcome back
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milonare says
Haiya. People get car sickness? How? Maybe its just me lakini the roller-coaster ride that is driving thru Nairobi pot-holes strengthened my tummy etc against car sickness from tene…
Faces pinned against window panes – LMAO – especially if the lips are split east-west (top lip from lower lip) against said pane…
Was it the noise or the threat of the ring-tone that woke you? Jus asking… 😉
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kaki says
was wondering for a min.
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ndesanjo says
Heko zikufikie kwa kumbukumbu ya mwaka.
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Akiey says
Nice to have you back Kui! and let’s not give up on blogging. Always wondered how it felt to take the high-speed train. From what you’re describing I better have a stretcher & not a taxi waiting for me at end of the journey,lol!
The ‘I like big butts…and I cannot lie’ tune is weird for a ring tone & guess what? They have the song changed to “big bags” for a back school commercial on tv over here. Have 12 yrds dancing on their desks & all.What do they know.
Ok, Stick around this time & let’s ride the blog train into 2006 & beyond.
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Akiey says
PS: Congrats on your 1st blog anniversary. That’s a milestone in itself:)
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M says
Hey,
Glad to hear you’re back! Congratulations on the milestone. Believe me when I say I feel you!
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Mentalacrobatics says
Happy Blogaversary glad you’re back. As for those Pendolino trains it is impossible to sleep in them with their new high tech seats!
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Ms K says
Hey, you cannot, CANNOT stop blogging!!! One day I’ll tell you what an inspiration you, Mentala nd Mshairi were to me!! So don’t even think about it!!
LMAO at your description of the pendolino on corners! Ati dishes suspended in the air? A la Matrix??
Pole about the motion sickness. I used to think it was gross of people to get sick on long bus rides, then I realised that they couldn’t help it and were twice as mortified as I was that they were sick. I so feel your discomfort!! Pole sana.
So what will you use now?
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Margaret in Germany says
My 1 year anniversary is coming next month, too.
Your motion sickness medication sounds like my migraine medicine. When I have a migraine, I take it and it makes me sleep for at least 6 hours.
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shobali says
MJK,
Werokamu! and Hapeh Anifasareh!
Those bullet trains are still a foreign concept for me as we do not have them here in the land of Bush! What an experience that must be?
As for the pills, girly! are you sure, the sleep effect sounds like you were given madawa ya kulevya!. Awaiting Part 2 and 3 of ya anniversary blogs.
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acolyte says
Woo hoo!You have fikad one year.I too at one point had blog block lakini i have passed one year and soon looking at 150 posts.All the best and good to have you back!
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Poi says
Congrats on ur bloverssary, I’m a tad late but awaiting the to come parts!
Keep blessed!
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Mimz says
Hey Sis
How are you i realise that this isn’t an emailing service but at leats this way i am killing two birds with 1 stone. How are you i miss u. i am writing this in an ict lesson so i might get into troble for doing this. LOL My friends Anna, Razan and Joy say hi (they like your site)
Ok i got 2 go say hi 2 all
Love mim
P.s HAPPY BLOGERTHDAY
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Farmgal says
hey kui you obviously havent come back to blogging..am looking at the date of your last post. oh boy looking who’s pointing fingures. talking of motion sickness have you travelled by sea..trust me its the fastest way to loose weight or to become bulimic. Am speaking from experience here!
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Mwara says
Trains and their toilets! Trains are wonderful for travelling with a baby (except for changes. Changes plus pram and luggage are a whole new realm of achievement). The only drawback is the constant proximity to the loo, as wide access/ wheelchair seats are always near the toilets. Why? Why? Obviously I wouldnt be asking that if I’d ever had to be on a train in a wheelchair and needing the loo, but the drawbacks are very pressing! Especially towards the end of the journey.
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J.M Karoki says
Know what u mean. sometimes blogging can get tiring. nice to see u back
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Mimz says
Hey
Sorry i didn’t leave anyything last week but the comp was messed up. How are you? Tell Pambi that i have finished reading Angels and Demons and it was really really gud, espessically the end. Tell Mandi that i can’t wait 4 her to come
Say hi 2 all!
Love Mim
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King Street Hobo says
Hey miss, it’s October and I’m waitin’ up on parts 1 2 and 3 on bloggin…. where you at?
…of course I can’t get at you for not posting as often since this is the 1st time I’ve replied to your post.
…what are you up to there days?
Mike.
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bee says
Don’t quit. Please. I like reading your blog…and I like the colors too…
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mutumia says
I’m co-signing with all the above— it’s good *ahem* It’ll be good to have my MJY daily fix
Signed, former chronic lurker
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afromusing says
Please come back to blogging, I am grovelling now…i always check your blog thinking…she should be back by now. Hata smiley?